Mosquitoes After a Flood

Mosquitoes After a Flood

As flood waters go down, there will probably be many mosquitoes. Please take measures to protect yourself from mosquito bites.

1.     Use Insect Repellent

Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents with one of the active ingredients below. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

·        DEET

·        Picaridin (known as KBR 3023 and icaridin outside the US)

·        IR3535

·        Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)

·        Para-menthane-diol (PMD)

·        2-undecanone

Reapply insect repellent as directed.

·        Do not spray repellent on the skin under clothing.

·        If you are also using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second.

2.     Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants

• Use permethrin to treat clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents) or buy permethrin-treated clothing and gear.

3.     Control mosquitoes indoors and outdoors

• Use screens on windows and doors. Repair holes in screens to keep mosquitoes outdoors.

• Once a week, empty out ANY items that hold water, such as tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpots, or trash containers.

~Tips for babies and children~

• Always follow instructions when applying insect repellent to children.

• Do not use insect repellent on babies younger than 2 months old.

  • Instead, dress your child in clothing that covers arms and legs.

  • Cover strollers and baby carriers with mosquito netting.

More information about mosquitoes can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/zika/prevention/prevent-mosquito-bites.html